PERISTALTIC SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PLASMA SEPARATION

摘要

System and method for separating plasma from whole blood are disclosed. System comprises a blood separation device (10) and a blood separation driver (40). The blood separation device (10) includes a flexible tube (12) having a needle (16) and a shield (20) at one end and a filter member (18) at the other end. The needle (16) is used to access blood in a conventional blood collection device (BC). The tube (12) is held in place between the rollers (58) of drive wheel (54) and the arcuate recess (60) of clamp (46). The separation driver (40) applies a peristaltic force to the tube (12) of the blood separation device (10) by rotating the drive wheel (54), thus drawing blood from the blood collection device (BC) through the tube (12) and to the filter member (18). Plasma is collected from the outlet port (36) of the filter member (18).